MODERN

. . Johnny
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•
D E S
MOINES
lyjany exhibitors were here for booking purposes
and to attend the AlUed board
meeting Tuesday at Hotel Fort Des Moines.
Main speaker for the meeting was Colin
Miller, producer of "A Kiss for Corliss,"
which had its world premiere at the Des
Moines Theatre Wednesday night. Among
those here were Marjorie Aldinger, Bode;
Paul Metzger, Luverne; Lloyd E. Kogle, Gladbrook;
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fritz, What
Cheer; Barbara Newbold, Keosauqua; Mrs.
Laurel Nelson, Gowrie; Dwight Ayers, Keystone,
and Leo Wolcott, Tim Evans and
Charles Niles, all Allied officials.
W. F. "Butch" DeFrenne, RKO salesman
here for the last 17 years, has resigned because
of ill health. The RKO employes honored
Butch with a farewell gift presentation
in the office last Monday afternoon . . . Lou
Levy is busy with plans for the drive which
will be launched soon to honor Foster Blake
and his third anniversary as district manager
for Universal. Blake will be in Des
Moines November 18 to set up final arrangements
for the drive.
Opening: of the pheasant hunting season
found many Filmrowers making hunting
trips. Jim Velde, EL manager; Jack Gibson,
EL booker, and Chuck Elder, Paramount
YfiilfiMONir.
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booker, made a trip together and each
brought back a pheasant. Marie Butcher and
her husband, John Pilmaier and his wife and
Harold Langer, all of Metro, also went hunting.
. . . Harold Wirthwein.
Jimmy Ricketts, Monogi'am salesman, is
driving a new Ford
Monogram division manager, and Sol FYancis
visited here .
Thompson, exploiteer
for "The Red Shoes," is lining up publicity
for the run of the picture around the
state.
From SQUINT to
. . . Morrey
Variety Club plans to go ahead with its
party on December 12 as scheduled—with the
promise of fun for everyone!
Friedman, Universal salesman, trotted his
young son to the doctor for four stitches in
his foot . . . Helen Hanson and Helen Mc-
Gregor, both of MGM, spent the weekend in
Minneapolis and Coming, respectively . . .
Those who attended Nancy Branton's wedding
say it was one of the most beautiful
ever held in Des Moines. Many exhibitors and
men of the film industry were here for the
event,
Maurine Osgood is a new employe in the
Tri-States merchandising department .
Jerolyn Ann Whitmore. usher at the Lyric
Theatre in Seymour, was married recently
to Jennings S. Green of Corydon.
Ventilator Blaze Clears
State in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS—Fire in a ventilator at
6:30 p. m. last Thursday routed patrons of
the State, one of the leading downtown film
houses. When smoke seeped into the auditorium,
the management stopped the picture
and advised patrons to leave. They received
refunds on tickets purchased.
The fire started when .somebody apparently
"sneaked" a few puffs on a cigaret and
dropped it iiito the ventilator. Several candy
bar wrappers and popcorn boxes were ignited.
The damage was negligible and the theatre
reopened within an hour.
With "Notional" High Intensity Carbons
Even the best "thriller" or "tear-jerker" will not be
completely enjoyed by your audience if the image on the
screen is blurred or hazy. The brilliant white light from
the crater of a "National" high-intensity, positive projector
carbon is the brightest and most perfectly colorbalanced
man-made light in the world. Be sure your
patrons enjoy the full detail and color of the picture on
the screen.
A "National" carbon can make the difference.
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
Mohawk Carpets
National Carbons
1121-23 High St. Phone 3-6520
Heywood-Wakelield
Sealing
Projector Repair Service
Des Moines, Iowa
Simple Pictures Best,
Says Colin Miller
DES MOINES—Simple pictures, in which
audiences see themselves reflected in the cast,
are invariably successful, provided they have
been intelligently constructed. That's the
conclusion of Colin Miller, independent Hollywood
producer, whose first picture. "A Kiss
for Corliss," was world premiered here
Wednesday (16).
"I learned how pictures should not be
made while serving as an officer and director
of Enterprise studios, an independent company
which spent entirely too much on 'arty'
pictures," he recalled. "Having been in the
newspaper business for a long time, I also
observed that it is the simple, fundamental
things that touch people.
" 'A Kiss for Corliss,' which is a sequel to
•Kiss and Tell,' is that kind of comedy. And
because it has an easily recognizable midwestern
background, and because I, myself,
am an lowan, I wanted to have its world premiere
in Iowa," Miller said.
While in Iowa, Miller went to Davenport
to visit his wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs.
George E. Huntoon. His wife, the former
Mary Huntoon, is vice-president of a Hollywood
agency which handles film contracts.
She did not accompany Miller on this trip.
In coimection with the premiere week, a
dress worn by Shirley Temple in the picture
was given to the teen-age girl who wrote the
best letter on the subject, "How Our Boy
Friends Could Be Better Dates." Any teenage
girl, 19 or under, was eligible. Letters
were limited to 100 words. Winner had her
choice of any one item in Miss Temple's
"Kiss for Corliss" wardrobe, or a sweater,,
hat, handbag or nightgown from the picture.]
Praise to Midwest Area
By Writer F. H. Herbert
OMAHA—F. Hugh Herbert said here that
"it's time Hollywood realized there is something
between Hollywood and New York other
than prairie and farm land." He was in
town with Producer Colin Miller for the area
premiere of "A Kiss for Corliss" at the Paramount
Theatre. The screen writer also spoke
before the University of Omaha drama class.
"I have learned more by talking and listening
to people in Omaha, Des Moines, Iowa
City, Waterloo and Sioux City than I could
ever have learned from any number of ex
perts," he said.
Home Theatres to Build
New House in Ada, Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS—Home Theatres, cooperatively
owned circuit in northern Minnesota
has announced it will build a 750-seat theatre
in Ada, where there already is an inde^
pendently owned showhouse.
COMPLETELY NEW
HORKY'S CAFE
Bigger and Better Than Ever
— Featuring 'Delish' Steaks
1202 High St. Des MoinM, Iowa
"Where Filmrow Friends Gather"
Open Daily at 4 p. m.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE DITMCO DRAG BROOM
Used for levelcnj and filling holes in gravel covered
Drive-Ins
_ __ 729 Baltimore
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. Kansas City, Wo.
78
BOXOFFICE Novem'iJcr 19, 194i